Fair Isle Quarter-Zip: Questions Answered — Fit, Sizing, Fabric and How to Wear One

The short answer: a Fair Isle quarter-zip is a zip-neck jumper with a traditional geometric Fair Isle band knitted across the chest — pattern with a history, not a novelty print. Wardley's version — the Highbury, £35.95 — pairs that band with a cable-knit body in 95% cotton and 5% elastane, in a regular fit, sizes S–XXL, in five colourways. Festive in December; worn all winter. Below are the questions men actually ask before buying one, answered plainly.

Is a Fair Isle quarter-zip a Christmas jumper?

No. The Highbury Fair Isle quarter-zip is winter knitwear, not a novelty Christmas jumper: the chest band is a traditional Fair Isle geometric pattern rather than a novelty print, so it reads festive in December — Christmas Jumper Day falls on Thursday 10 December 2026 — and like ordinary, well-chosen knitwear for the rest of the season. That is the point of the pattern: December is a bonus, not the reason to own it. Our longer guide, how to choose and wear a Fair Isle jumper, covers the pattern's place in a winter wardrobe in full.

What is the Highbury made from?

It is knitted from 95% cotton with 5% elastane for a little stretch. The chest band is a Nordic Fair Isle jacquard and the body below it is cable knit, so the jumper carries two textures rather than one flat knit. It has a stand collar with a metal quarter-zip, and ribbed cuffs and hem.

How does a Fair Isle quarter-zip fit?

The Highbury is a regular fit — room to layer over a tee or an Oxford shirt without looking pulled, which is how patterned knitwear wears best. Judge the fit from the garment measurements below rather than from a letter size carried across from another brand, and allow for the layers you plan to wear underneath.

What size should I buy? The measurements, in centimetres

Start with your usual size, then check it against these garment measurements (measured flat, as supplied by the maker; please allow a 1–3cm tolerance). These are garment measurements, not recommended body sizes:

The simplest check is to measure a jumper that already fits you comfortably over your intended layers and compare. If you need help interpreting a measurement, email support@wardleylondon.co.uk with the size you are considering before ordering.

What colours does it come in?

Five colourways: Ecru / Navy, Charcoal, Camel, Navy / Forest and Denim / Chocolate. The pattern sits across the chest in each of them, so the styling rule is the same throughout — keep everything else in the outfit plain and let the band do the work.

How do you wear a Fair Isle quarter-zip?

Three ways cover most of winter. Zipped over a plain tee for the everyday version. Open over an Oxford shirt when the outfit needs to look more considered. Under an overcoat on the coldest days, where the stand collar and the top of the pattern sit cleanly above the coat's line. It pairs with straight-leg jeans, chinos or tailored trousers — one knit that covers a whole winter weekend, from the walk to dinner. For quarter-zips more generally, see our quarter-zip buying guide and the men's quarter-zip jumpers collection.

How do I wash it?

Gentle wash at 30°C, then reshape and dry flat. Full knitwear care guidance is in our care guide.

How much is it, and how does delivery work?

The Highbury is £35.95, with free tracked UK delivery. Orders are dispatched in 1–2 working days and delivered in 6–10 working days from order.

What if it does not fit?

There are 30-day returns on unworn items. Return postage is paid by you unless the item is faulty or incorrect. If you are between the measurements above, checking by email before ordering is the surest way to get the size right first time.

Browse the wider range in men's knitwear.

For the pattern itself — where it sits on the jumper and how it changes an outfit — Fair Isle quarter-zip jumpers is the Journal's guide to the patterned side of the range.